Players from Wisconsin colleges or high schools who have been evaluated by NFL teams and have a legitimate chance of being drafted or signed as free agents:

Isaac Anderson, WR, Wisconsin: 5 feet 9 inches, 174 pounds, 40-yard dash time of 4.47 seconds. Played in high school at The Blake School in Minneapolis. Started 26 of 46 games, finishing with 80 catches for 1,048 yards (13.1-yard average) and two touchdowns. "He'll get in a camp but he won't make it through the first cut," one scout said. "Adequate physically. He's got decent hands. Just a guy." Vertical jump of 36 inches, broad jump of 10-0, 13 reps on the bench press and 18 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test (NFL average is 19). Projection: Free agent.

Nick Bellore, ILB, Central Michigan: 6-1, 245, 4.79. Played at Whitefish Bay. Four-year starter at MLB with 472 tackles (32½ for loss), 5½ sacks, five interceptions, five forced fumbles and four recovered fumbles. "He is going to fight somebody for a starting job," Tennessee scout Johnny Meads said. "That's how good he is. He's so fluid, you wouldn't think he's 240. He will become a very good player." Didn't run well at the combine (4.84) but improved at pro day. "He sees it quickly and he reacts," one scout said. "A lot of these guys will go before Bellore, but at the end of the day Bellore probably will be a better player." Wonderlic score of 36 reportedly was the highest of all defensive players at the combine, and sixth-highest overall. Graduated in December with a degree in finance. "We're not a big fan of his," another scout said. "I'm trying to figure out where he got all his tackles. He's got a ceiling in terms of strength and power." Projection: Fifth to seventh round.

Niles Brinkley, CB, Wisconsin: 5-9½, 192, 4.50. Played at St. Louis Beaumont. Started all 13 games as a senior after switching off and on in 2008-'09. "Solid player, just like most of the kids from there (UW)," one scout said. "Not special enough speed-wise, size-wise or ball skills-wise. He could find his way on special teams." Because of Brinkley's thick build, another scout said he might be able to play safety. Vertical jump of 36, broad jump of 10-7, 15 reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 19. Projection: Late pick or free agent.

Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin: 6-7, 312, 5.21. Played at Monona Grove. Replaced Joe Thomas at LT in 2007 and went on to start 49 games. "He's an excellent technician," one scout said. "He's real smart. What he lacks is power, particularly in the lower body. He's not a bad athlete. He's so bright, he will find a way to play. He knows how to use his hands. He knows leverage. He and (Bryan) Bulaga are the same guy except Carimi is bigger. He's got longer arms (35 inches) and bigger hands (10 3/8). Athletic ability is about the same." Some teams project him strictly as a RT. "Not as good as Bulaga," another scout said. "He gives you length and he's a smart kid and he will battle. But there's not uniformity in our room that he's a starting-level player." Vertical jump of 31½, broad jump of 9-1, 29 reps on the bench and Wonderlic scores of 22 and 29. Projection: First round.

John Clay, RB, Wisconsin: 6-0½, 233, 4.78. Played at Racine Park. Seventh in UW rushing annals with 3,413 yards and third in yards per carry (5.43). "I like John Clay but John Clay just can't run," one scout said. "He's a powerful guy who runs well between the tackles. If the guy (Ron Dayne) who went in the first round (2000) can't make it, then this guy is going to have a tough time. He was smart to come out because those two freshmen are really good." Battled ankle and weight issues in 2010 before declaring a year early. Has just 11 career receptions. "He's got to get his weight back up," another scout said. "I want him at 255. Speed is not his game. He's got to be the move-the-chains guy. Just inconsistent everything." Vertical jump of 33, broad jump of 9-3, 19 reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 13. "It's all up to John Clay," a third scout said. "How they use him tells you everything you need to know. He's a two-quarter player. I saw him early (in 2010) and he was as fat and sloppy as you could be. His preparation habits are poor. His practice habits are poor. His diet control is poor. His consistency in games is poor. He's a front-runner. He's nonexistent pass blocking and he's not a good catcher. He lacks torso flexibility to reach back for the ball. But he's a big, powerful guy when he wants to run hard." Projection: Fifth to seventh round.

Colin Cochart, TE, South Dakota State: 6-4½, 255, 4.69. Played at Kewaunee. Redshirted in 2006, backup in '07 and then started for three years. "At worst-case scenario he's a priority free agent," one scout said. "Best case, he goes in the sixth or seventh. Soft hands. Little bit of burst. Hard worker. One of the best-conditioned athletes on the team. Not physical enough in his blocking yet. Would be best as an H-back, move tight end initially." Finished with 82 receptions for 997 yards (12.2) and 14 TDs. "He's an interesting cat," another scout said. "He's got some ability, he really does. If you throw it in front of him or when he's squared up, he's fine. But he's not going to make the adjust catch." Vertical jump of 35, broad jump of 9-10, 29 reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 18. Projection: Late pick or free agent.

Cody Dummer, ILB, Winona State: 6-2, 247, 4.77. Played at Waterford. Four-year starter and two-time all-Northern Sun Conference selection. Really wasn't on the scouting radar until he appeared at Minnesota Gophers' pro day March 8 and ran 4.7 at 247 pounds. "Everyone was talking about him," one scout said. "But he didn't light it up as a player. He wasn't somebody people knew." As a result, he was one of about 120 players to receive an invitation to the Elite combine that was held Friday night and Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit. Projection: Possible free agent.

David Gilreath, WR-KR, Wisconsin: 5-9½, 170, 4.43. Played at Robbinsdale (Minn.) Armstrong. Third in UW all-purpose yards with 5,265. "He had the big return against Ohio State on the opening kickoff," one scout said. "He has a chance because he has some return ability. Real small and frail. Runs fast. Just an OK route runner." Started 18 of 50 games, finishing with 67 receptions for 1,077 yards (16.1) and four TDs, a 22.4 average on Big Ten-record 135 KO returns and a 9.9 average on 73 punt returns. "Not bad - he can return both," one special teams coach said. "He played some wide receiver for them but I don't think he can play wide receiver at this level." Vertical jump of 33½, broad jump of 9-8, six reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 15. Projection: Seventh round or free agent.

Brett Hartmann, P, Central Michigan: 6-3, 224, 4.69. Played at Menomonee Falls. Kicked off in 2006, redshirted in '07 and starting punter the last three years. "Looks like Atlas," one scout said. "You've never seen a punter like that. Very, very well-built. Not only does he have the physique of a linebacker but he takes his position pretty seriously. I put him down as somebody to look at." Averaged 39.5 yards on 153 punts. "Real inconsistent," another scout said. "He doesn't have a chance in the first year but he's got some developmental qualities." Vertical jump of 34, broad jump of 10-3, 19 reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 19. Projection: Possible free agent.

Nate Heard, CB, UW-Oshkosh: 6-1½, 190, 40 time not available. Played at Milwaukee Lutheran. Enrolled at Valparaiso in 2005 before transferring. Has started since Week 4 of 2007. In March, he paid $100 to attend a regional combine in Chicago. Three days later, he accepted an invitation to attend the Elite combine in Detroit. "He needed to be pushed and last year it finally clicked," Oshkosh coach Pat Cerroni said. "He was physical his senior year. That was his problem his junior year." Finished with 114 tackles (three for loss) and 12 interceptions, which he returned for 254 yards (three TDs). Dropped five interceptions in season-ending loss to UW-Stout. Projection: Possible free agent.

Kyle Jefferson, WR, Wisconsin: 6-3, 183, 4.51. Played at Cleveland Glenville. Playing time and statistics declined each year for four years. Started 10 of 42 games, finishing with 48 catches for 701 yards (14.6) and two TDs. "Kind of an enigma," one scout said. "Was a track guy coming out of Glenville. Kind of up and down in terms of work ethic and commitment to the game. I think that's what killed him. He hasn't played in two years so you're struggling with him." Projection: Free agent.

Jared Jenkins, WR, UW-Stevens Point: 6-2, 212, 4.63. Played at Milwaukee King. Two-sport athlete whose final basketball game for Pointers was their victory in the NCAA Division III championship game in March 2010. Trying to become just the second WIAC player drafted since 2002. The conference hasn't had a player sign as a full-fledged free agent since '07. "Extremely gifted athlete," one scout said. "Extremely raw route runner. Inconsistent hands. He's always gotten by by being the best athlete at his level." Finished with 273 receptions for 3,632 yards (13.3) and 34 TDs. Also punted 68 times in 2009-'10, averaging 43.3. "His problem is he never could commit to football entirely," another scout said. "He played three years of basketball and I think it killed him. He was never involved with their winter (football) program. He showed up this spring and ran 4.6s, some in the low 4.7s. When you have a guy that hasn't dedicated himself to football, particularly at a small school, it bothers me." Vertical jump of 33, broad jump of 9-3, 10 reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 29. Projection: Seventh round or free agent.

Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin: 6-3, 243, 4.62. Played at Milwaukee King. Following ex-Badger tight ends Owen Daniels, Travis Beckum and Garrett Graham into the NFL. "I think he's real good," one scout said. "He's not your big brute but he's great on the move. He's an aggressive blocker. He tries to knock you down." Finished with 78 catches (43 as a senior) for 1,160 yards (14.9) and eight TDs. Played WR in high school. "He tries to block, gives good effort and tries to finish but he doesn't have a whole lot of power," another scout said. "He's a real nice athlete. But he didn't run as well as I thought he would." Vertical jump of 38½, broad jump of 10-2, 25 reps on the bench and Wonderlic scores of 18 and 21. Projection: Second to fourth round.

John Moffitt, G-C, Wisconsin: 6-4, 315, 5.52. Played at West Haven (Conn.) Notre Dame. Started six games (LG) in 2007, all 13 (center) in '08, 10 (eight LG, two center) in '09 and 13 (LG) in '10. "I think he's a starter," one scout said. "Competitive. Tough. Got enough short-area quickness and explosion to engage. He gets movement at the point of attack. He's got base and vision with his pass protection." Vertical jump of 30½, broad jump of 8-6, 23 reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 23. "Maybe he'll be a starter at center," another scout said. "He's OK. Nothing great. I like the kid because he's a tough guy. UW has another one coming. That kid that got hurt (Peter Konz) is a hell of a center." Projection: Third to fourth round.

Bill Nagy, G, Wisconsin: 6-3, 302, 5.06. Played at Hudson (Ohio). Career backup with 11 starts, including three at RG in 2008 and eight more at RG and blocking TE in '10. "He had a moped accident that prevented him from cracking the starting lineup," one scout said. "He's so interesting. He has played tight end, center, tackle and guard, and at pro day he wanted to play fullback and tight end." Vertical jump of 30½, broad jump of 9-2 and 26 reps on the bench. "There's just no reason why he can't come to an NFL team and be a center-guard for at minimum four years," another scout said. "Every time he went into a game he played well. Between that kid and that coach there's something going on. They don't talk him up. They don't seem to think he's much of a prospect, but the tape to me shows different. I don't get why he didn't start at center or guard." Projection: Late pick or free agent.

Lane Olson, S, UW-Whitewater: 5-8, 203, 4.47. Played at Racine Horlick. Redshirted as a safety at Illinois State in 2006, transferred and then was shifted to LB early in '07 when another player was injured. Key figure for Warhawks teams that went 57-3 and won three Division III titles. "He will have to be a special-teams demon with ability to do things in the nickel package," Whitewater coach Lance Leipold said. "He put up terrific numbers at the Wisconsin pro day. He's one of those guys who will run through a wall." Finished with 262 tackles (26 for loss), 12 sacks and seven forced fumbles. Vertical jump of 38, broad jump of 10-4, 24 reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 21. Posted outstanding times in agility runs. Projection: Possible free agent.

Justin Rindt, DE, UW-Stout: 6-3, 267, 4.74. Played at Whitefish Bay Dominican. Began career at Concordia (Wis.) before transferring. Held back by injuries in 2008-'09, he started at DE and DT in '10. "His first couple years he had the tools but he was always injured," Stout coach Clayt Birmingham said. "His senior year he put it all together. He got some more mental toughness. He's big, strong and fast." Fared well at UW pro day with vertical jump of 31½, broad jump of 9-2 and 25 reps on the bench. Projection: Possible free agent.

Blake Sorenson, OLB, Wisconsin: 6-0, 228, 4.74. Played at Eden Prairie (Minn.). Played special teams for three years before starting in 2010. Finished with 134 tackles (4½ for loss) and three interceptions. "Not bad," one scout said. "He's a guy that I can see somebody taking a late shot on. He's got to play 'will' (weak side). It's kind of a stretch, but the kid actually played pretty good late last year. He's a run-and-chase backup and special-teams type guy. He might stick." Vertical jump of 35½, broad jump of 9-5, 22 reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 23. Projection: Late pick or free agent.

Culmer St. Jean, ILB, Wisconsin: 5-11½, 231, 4.8. Played at Naples (Fla.) Lely. Redshirted in 2006, backup from 2007-'08 and starting MLB from 2009-'10. "He gets into a camp but not at the position you think," one scout said. "Could be a fullback. He's just not fast. That's his problem. He's OK tough." Finished with 165 tackles (7½ for loss) and three interceptions. "Short guy," another scout said. "He plays hard. He's just a guy. Absolutely a free agent." Thirty reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 13. Projection: Free agent.

Brad Thorson, G, Kansas: 6-4, 300, 5.17. Played at Homestead. Originally committed to Minnesota but had a late change of heart and went to UW. Redshirted in 2006, backup in '07. Left program in spring 2008 but already had graduated, so became eligible immediately for Jayhawks. Backup center in '08, 12-game starter in '09 (eight LG, four RT) and 12-game starter (RT) in '10. "A very adequate athlete who does run pretty well," one scout said. "Brilliant guy. He's so smart he can play all five positions." Vertical jump of 28, broad jump of 8-5, 16 reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 34. In 2009 Jayhawks media guide, Thorson said his post-college dream other than the NFL was "traveling the world or dismantling the federal government and restoring the states' sovereignty." Projection: Late pick or free agent.

Scott Tolzien, QB, Wisconsin: 6-2, 211, 4.94. Played at Palatine (Ill.) Fremd. Voted co-MVP with J.J. Watt in 2010. "He will be like a Jeff Kubiak," one scout said. "He will be a third and smarter than the starting quarterback. He manages the game. He can't win a championship for you. He couldn't bring them back against TCU. He's just not gifted enough to do it. He will play for a long time and end up being a coach." Redshirted in 2006, backup from 2007-'08 and started 26 games last two years. Completed school-record 68.1% for 5,271 yards, 32 TDs and 18 interceptions. "Heady kid," another scout said. "Not a great arm." Vertical jump of 31½, broad jump of 9-8 and Wonderlic scores of 20 and 38. "The kid's so organized with his time it's not even funny," a third scout said. "He's such an excellent communicator, which made him a great leader. He's just a fun guy to be around. He'll make it, but you never want him to start." Projection: Late pick.

Jay Valai, S, Wisconsin: 5-8, 200, 4.74. Played at Colleyville (Texas) Heritage. Redshirted in 2006, backup in '07 and started 37 games last three years. "Can't run, he's little and he's stiff, too," one scout said. "He's got a triple whammy going against him. He's too little to be a big hitter." Finished with 153 tackles (10½ for loss), two interceptions and four forced fumbles. "He's a decent college player, he really is," another scout said. "He doesn't lack toughness, but I never see any great collisions or anything." Vertical jump of 34, broad jump of 10-0, 21 reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 21. "Little bowling ball type guy," a third scout said. "He is so rocked up. His toughness was the deal." Projection: Seventh round or free agent.

J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin: 6-5½, 289, 4.83. Played at Pewaukee. Played TE at Central Michigan in 2007, catching eight passes for 77 yards. Transferred and sat out 2008, then started from 2009-'10. "He's a hard charger," Tennessee scouting coordinator Blake Beddingfield said. "He is going to play for eight to 10 years. Great kid." Finished with 106 tackles (36½ for loss) and 11½ sacks. "Very physical player," another scout said. "Strong passion. Got better as a pass rusher. Good run defender. Real savvy. He will be a good starter." Vertical jump of 37, broad jump of 10-0, 34 reps on the bench and Wonderlic of 31. Huge hands (11 1/8). Projection: First round.

Fred Williams, WR, St. Cloud State: 5-11½, 189, 4.68. Played at Milwaukee South. Started all four seasons and had tremendous production. Finished with 264 receptions for 3,804 yards (14.4) and 39 TDs at the Division II school. "Athletic, but just doesn't run very well," one scout said. "College stats can be deceiving. Everyone's running that spread (offense). He'll get at least a tryout." Played in the Cactus Bowl, where he ran a slow 40. Wonderlic of 10. Projection: Possible free agent.

About Bob McGinn

Bob McGinn is a beat writer and columnist covering the Green Bay Packers. A six-time Wisconsin state sportswriter of the year, he won the Dick McCann Memorial Award in 2011 for long and distinguished reporting on pro football.